A judge who acquitted nine anti-fracking campaigners following protests outside the Horse Hill oil well near Gatwick said he was concerned about the deteriorating relationship between police and protesters.

The trial of nine anti-fracking campaigners arrested at protests at the Horse Hill oil well near Gatwick heard that police tolerated some walking in front of lorries to slow down deliveries to the site.

The majority investor in the Horse Hill oil well near Gatwick is claiming record UK onshore flow rates. After completing initial flow tests, UK Oil & Gas described the results this morning as “outstanding” and equivalent to rates from the North Sea.